HCL has launched three new android tablets in the 7-inch category, namely HCL ME U2 at price of Rs.5999, HCL ME V1 at price of Rs.7999, and HCL ME Y3 at price of Rs.11999. All these three tablets run on Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, which is kinda disappointing because it’s one step back, when other brands are launching Jelly Bean running tablets. These tablets come with several pre-loaded apps and bunch of freebies offer. These tablets will also have an integrated back up service – HCL Touch, a 24×7 one-touch service facility. Speaking at the event, Mr. Gautam Advani, Global Head, Mobility Business Unit, HCL Infosystems Ltd, announced Unmukt Chand as the brand ambassador or HCL ME Tablet segment shedding light on how HCL ME tablet series is focussed on Young India.

HCL ME U2 is the cheapest among the trio with Cortex A9 processor clocked at 1GHz speed along with 1GB of RAM. Presence of 1GB of RAM is interesting here as you usually do not get this much RAM on budget tablets from other manufacturers. It has WiFi connectivity for internet. It doesn’t have sim card slot. Google Play Store is also there so you can easily install apps from Play Store, unlike the other two models announced. USB, Mini HDMI ports are also there. It has 4GB of internal memory with support for external micro sd card of upto 32GB. The display has WVGA resolution of 800*480 pixels.

HCL ME V1 is with sim card slot supporting 2G network (not 3G). You can use 3G internet by plugging compatible usb dongle. It has similar screen as HCL ME U2. The processor here is Cortex A8. It also has 1GB RAM. On the storage aspect, it matches HCL ME u2. It is capable of Full HD video playback. It has bluetooth 3.0 in addition to WiFi. Google Play Store not supported.

HCL ME Y3 is the costliest of the trio with dual sim support. It can allow you to use two sim cards in it. It also has 3G support for first sim card. I don’t understand how much sense does dual-sim capabilities on tablet make? Anyways, rest of the specs are same to HCL ME V1 except screen resolution as Y3 has display resolution of 1024*768 pixels, which is more appreciable for 7-inch tablet. It also has bluetooth 4.0 apart from WiFi connectivity. Google Play Store not supported. Although, all these goodness comes at heavy price of Rs.11,999.

Google Play Store not supported. HCL ME App store as alternative. You can install android apps also by downloading apk file from the web.

Sim card slot for 2G voice calling, GPRS/EDGE data connectivity

3G via compatible USB data card

Mini HDMI port

USB port

Full HD 1080p video, movies playback supported

Google Play Store not supported. HCL ME App store as alternative. You can install android apps also by downloading apk file from the web.

Sim card slot for 2G/3G, GPRS/EDGE, 3G, HSDPA data connectivity

Mini HDMI port

USB port

Full HD 1080p video, movies playback supported

FM Radio

The main demerit of these tablets is that they don’t come with Jelly Bean OS. Another cons is that the ME V1 and Y3 tablets do not support Google Play Store. Also, the pricing doesn’t seem attractive. In wake of all these cons, these tablets may not be the best choice in the Indian market at this time, because Indian markets are already abloom with heavy competition. What do you think?